
Answer:
The question arises, What power has ever arisen in Europe since
the fifth century which will meet all the specifications of Daniel 7:25? There
is but one, the papacy. Most Protestants are agreed in this. (1) The papacy
arose in Europe and made Rome its headquarters. (2) Her power was recog-
nized after the Roman Empire was divided into ten kingdoms.. (3) Three of
the original ten kingdoms, which were Arian in religion, and opposed to the
claims of the bishop of Rome,—the Heruli in A.
D.
493, the Vandals in 534, and
the Ostrogoths in 538,—were successively overthrown before the rising power
of the popes. (4) Beginning in the year 538
A.
n., when the last of these oppos-
ing powers was overthrown, and counting 1260 years, brings us to 1798, at
which time, by the power arid authority of France, the then ruling papal pon-
tiff was dethroned, and hay was proclaimed a republic. (5) During this 1260-
year period, known av the Dark Ages, the Christian world was practically
under the power of the papacy, and it literally wore out many millions of those
whom it was pleased to call heretics, but whom God calls in Daniel 7:25 "the
saints." (6) Mile papacy has thought to change God's times and law, as the
following, quoted from one of its own works, will prove: "The pope is of so
great
a
uthority and power, that he can even modify, explain and interpret the
divtne laws."—Ferraris'
Prompta Bibliotheca,
art. "Papa, II" in the Venice
edition of 1772, vol. 6, p. 29. It has expunged, in much of its teaching, the
second commandment, which forbids the worship of images. It has attempted
to change the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week, and this
has been accepted by most of the Christian world. (7) It differs from other
European powers, being ecclesiastical as well as civil. (8) It has assumed the
titles and honors which belong only to God, and this is blasphemy.
11.
By what name is this same system designated by John the
revelator? Rev. 17:5, 6.
Nom.—"This prophecy [of John's] Is more definite than others applicable
to the Roman power, in that it distinguishes between church and state. We
here have the woman, the church, seated upon a scarlet-colored beast, the civil
power, by which she is upheld, and which she controls and guides to her own
ends, as a rider controls the animal upon which he is seated."—Daniel and
the
Revelation,
comment on Rev. 17:1-5.
In Daniel's prophecy, we have the ten horns and the little horn which
should speak great words against the Most High and wear out the saints of the
Most High ; in John's prophecy, we have the ten horns on the beast and the
names of blasphemy, also the woman drunken with the blood of saints. ,
12.
What sentence was pronounced upon this power in the judg-
ment? Dan. 7:26.
13.
What then will be given to the saints? How long will this
kingdom continue? Verse 27.
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